GPs will in the next few weeks begin referring thousands of patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to a national prevention scheme that will provide tailored care for up to 100,000 people a year by 2020.

The first 10 sites – in Leeds, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Herefordshire, Berkshire, south London, east London and Durham – are expected to start taking referrals ‘in the next two to four weeks’.

‘As a result of this we see more people developing the serious complications of diabetes at an earlier age – heart attacks and strokes, kidney, eye and foot problems, all increasing the risk of early death or major disability in relatively young people.

‘GPs and nurses are well aware of the need to take action to reduce the risk. Once up and running we will be able to refer patients on to the programme, knowing they will be offered intensive professional support to lose weight, improve their diet and increase physical activity – all known to reduce the risk of diabetes.’